Champions League
Manchester City fans are in a fighting mood
Keystone
On the field, things are going well for Manchester City. But following the guilty verdict in the financial scandal, the Premier League leader faces an uncertain future.
Today at 05:00Personally, Erling Haaland seems largely unfazed by Manchester City’s unprecedented financial scandal ahead of the Champions League clash between the two giants and Paris Saint-Germain. The Norwegian star striker is doing exactly what he’s paid his hefty million-dollar salary to do: score goals—despite the taunting chants from the opposing fans.
“You have to focus on what you can influence,” the 26-year-old told Sky Sports after the team’s recent 3-0 Premier League win at Liverpool FC. During the high-profile match, City players were jeered by Reds fans, who chanted “Cheats.” “What we can do is play good soccer,” Haaland emphasized.
Club Faces an Uncertain Future
Although the players on the English league-leading team aren’t letting it show, there’s a lot at stake for them. “No one knows whether the three points City earned at Anfield will still belong to City by Christmas,” wrote columnist Jonathan Wilson in *The Guardian*. “No one knows which league they’ll be playing in next season.”
On Wednesday, in the Champions League match against PSG, former coach Pep Guardiola is expected to be in the stands to provide moral support. But many fans are likely wondering how much longer Man City will even be playing in European soccer.
Akanji hopes from afar
According to reports, this would be Guardiola’s first visit to Etihad Stadium since he left the club this summer. Shortly after the verdict, the 55-year-old pointedly expressed his support for his former club on Instagram: “Let me make one thing clear: We’ll get through this together.”
Manuel Akanji was a bit more reserved. “I’ve been following the news from afar,” the Inter defender said at a press conference. Between 2022 and 2025, the Swiss player competed for the Citizens and won seven trophies during that time—including two league titles and the Champions League. “I hope I can keep the titles.”
On the field, things are going well for Manchester City: six wins in six games, three points ahead of defending champion Arsenal. But a dark cloud hangs over their success—and the question remains: What is the top spot in the standings worth if the team faces a massive point deduction or possibly forced relegation?
“Premier League Conspiracy Theory”
Just under two weeks ago, Manchester City was found guilty on 114 of 115 charges of violating the Premier League’s financial rules. According to the independent commission, the club artificially inflated its revenue and reduced its expenses through sham contracts. The club denies all allegations and has filed an appeal. It is unclear when a final decision will be reached.
CEO Ferran Soriano even referred to it as “a Premier League conspiracy theory.” He dodges uncomfortable questions. A reporter from Sky News asked whether City was a “fake club” in light of the bogus contracts. Soriano failed to provide an answer.
Mockery from all sides
Meanwhile, on the island, City is the target of everyone’s ridicule. At Liverpool’s Anfield Road, chants of “Cheats” echoed through the stadium—every time a City player touched the ball. Fans at other stadiums are also likely to direct their ridicule at City.
“All of your stars are fading away” was written on a banner held by the home fans in Liverpool—a line from a song by the world-famous band Oasis. The Gallagher brothers from Manchester are among City’s most prominent fans. Noel Gallagher celebrated the victory at Anfield exuberantly.
City fans are defiant
“We have to learn to deal with this noise,” said coach Enzo Maresca after the game. “We have to make our own noise. And our noise is winning games—just like today.”
Many City fans are reacting defiantly. “In Khaldoon we trust” was written on a banner in the visitors’ section—a show of support for club owner Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Others are taking their role as the league’s villain in stride. Sky-blue flags bearing the word “Cheats” in Oasis-style lettering were sold around the stadium, and some City fans waved them with a touch of self-deprecating humor.
Will this be our last season in Europe for now?
Trouble is looming once again on the international stage. Back in 2020, UEFA had already excluded City from European competitions for violations of “Financial Fair Play” rules. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the ban, and in the end, City was fined 10 million euros. It remains to be seen whether City will get off so lightly a second time.
A forced relegation would mean a temporary end to the club’s time in the Champions League. Whether teams from Paris, Madrid, and Naples will continue to visit the Etihad in the future is not decided on the field.
